Apparatus for the precipitation of metals from solutions.



No. 730,385.. PATENTE-JUNE 9, 1903,

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APPARATUS FOR THE PRECIPITATION OP METALS FROM SOLUTIONS.

APP'LIOATION. runssr'r. 2. 1902.

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UNITED 'STATES `:Patented June 9,' 1903. PATENT OFFICE.

PETER w. MCOAEEREY, or DENVER; COLORADO, ssIeNORfTo 4THE NION ORE EXTRAOTION AND REDUCTION COMPANY, OFDENvER, COLORADO.

APPARATUS FOR THE P RECIF'lTATlON `0F METALS: FROM SOLUTlONSV.'v

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 730,385, dated June 9, 1903. Appunti@ and setenta 2,1902. serial No. 121,916. (Nomad.)

To all whom. it Wray concern:

Beit known that I, PETER W. MCCAEFRELL a citizen ofthe UnitedStates of America, re-` siding at Denver, in the 'county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for :the Precipitation of Dissolved Metallic Values gl vand ,l do declare the following to be' apparatus for the precipitation of dissolvedv metallic values, being Vmore especiallyl intended for the precipitation of copper.

Briefly stated, the invention consists'of a tank or receptacle adapted to hold the `solution containing the dissolved values and one or more perforated cylinders lilled with scrap metal and arranged to revolve' in said'solution, whereby the latter is made to circulate or pass through the scrap metal inVL the cylinder or cylinders. The `iron takes the place of the copper in the solution,and the latter is precipitated, falling to the bottom of the tank. i

Having briefly outlined my improvement, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made tothe accompanying drawings, in Which is illustrated-an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure l? is la top or plan. view of my improved apparatus, one of the cylinders-being shown in section to disclose the scrap-ironwithin. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, the solution-containing tank being shownipartly in section.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in .bothyiews y Let the numeral 5 designate a suitable rectangular frame, upon which is mounted a tank 6, which, as shown in the drawings, is elliptical in plan view. It must be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to any particular shape of tank. Mounted on each side of the frame, adjacent the tank, are two standards 7. In the upper exl tremitiesof these standards are journaled two shafts 8, which are located above and extend across the top of the tank. Upon these shafts are vmounted and made fasttwo. perforated copper cylinders filled with scrapiron 4. On one extremity of each shaft are mounted' fast and loose pulleys, (designated 10 and 12, respectively.) The cylinders are Vrotated by .connectingbelts 3 with the fast pulleys of the shafts, the saidA- belts being connected with a lline-shaft,(not shown) or yany suitable motor or source of power. When -the apparatus is in operation, the solution containing the dissolved copper to be precipitated is placed in the tank 6, the latter be# nhaving. been transformed by the chemical reaction into ferrous sulfate ofciron', is decanted olf and the v:copper precipitated, leIIlVed through'a suitable outlet in the bottom of the tank, the said bottom being hopper-shaped for the purposeY set'forth; (SeeFig; 2;)-

The tank 6 is provided .withvalve controlledv inlets 14 "toY permit the introduction fof live steam, which facilitates the chemical action and accelerates the process of precipitation.

Each cylinder should beY provided with a door 2, adapted to be opened for the purpose of inserting and removing -the scrap-iron.

The foregoing detail'description has special reference to the precipitation vof copper, in which the cylinders are filled with scrapiron. In the precipitation of other values other scrap metal may be required. Hence the invention is not limited to cylinders containing scrap-iron. The term scrap metal as used in this specification is intended to cover metal which is suciently finely di- ICO vided to expose to the actionof the liquid a considerable area of surface and which at the same time will be sufficiently loose in the cylinders to permit the liquid to circulate freely therethrough.

H aving thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In apparatus for the precipitation of dissolved metallic values, the combination of a tank adapted to hold the solution to be treated, and a perforated receptacle containing scrap metal, the perforated walls of the said receptacle being composed entirely of the same material, said receptacle being partially immersed in said solution and mounted to rotate therein, whereby the solution is made to circulate through the scrap metal for the purpose set forth.

2. In precipitation apparatus, the combination of a tank adapted to hold the solution, and a perforated cylinder containing scrapiron, the curved Wall of said cylinder being constructed entirely of homogeneous material, said cylinder being mounted to rotate in the tank whereby it is partially immersed in the solution which is caused to circulate through the scrap-iron by the rotary action.

3. In precipitation apparatus, the combination of a tank adapted to hold the solution from which the precipitate is to be obtained, and a number of perforated cylinders mounted to rotate in said tank, said cylinders .being filled with scrap-iron and partially immersed in the solution whereby the latter is caused to circulate through the scrap-iron as the cylinders are rotated, the tank being provided with a hopper-shaped bottom and an outlet for drawing oif the precipitate, and having valve-controlled inlets for the injection of live steam to the solution, substantially as described.

4. In precipitationapparatus, the combination of a tank to hold the solution, and a perforated cylinder containing scrap-iron, the curved walls of said cylinder being composed entirely of sheet metal, said cylinder being mounted to rotate in the tank whereby it is partially immersed in the solution which is caused to circulate through tbe scrap-iron by the rotary action.

5. In precipitation apparatus, the combination of atank adapted to hold the solution, and a perforated cylinder containing scrapiron, the curved wall of the cylinder being composed entirely of sheet-copper, said cylinder being mounted to rotate in the tank whereby it is partially immersed in the solution which is caused to circulate through the scrap-iron by the rotary action.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PETER W. MCCAFFREY.

Witnesses:

DENA NELSON, A. J. OBRIEN. 

